Report of Senior Officials Group on Aviation Issues September 2007
Economic and Tourism Development Plan
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- The Limerick-Shannon Gateway
Economic and Tourism Development PlanThe EU-US Open Skies Agreement was signed on behalf of the Community and the US at the EU-US summit on 30 April 2007. The agreement as a whole is to enter into force on a provisional basis from 30 March 2008 but the transitional arrangements relating to Ireland and the phasing out of the ‘Shannon Stop’ policy have immediate effect. An Economic & Tourism Development Plan is being developed to ensure that the region is well placed to respond to the challenges and opportunities emerging in the context of full liberalisation of the transatlantic aviation market and the phasing out of the Shannon Stop as envisaged under the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. The Plan would reflect major infrastructure investment programmes for the Mid-West region as set out in the National Development Plan and Transport 21 and the rollout of existing tourism funding programmes by Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and Shannon Development. In addition, it is expected that the Economic & Tourism Plan would provide for a tourism marketing fund for implementation by Tourism Ireland to promote the wider Shannon catchment. The new Programme for Government also includes a commitment to investigate the feasibility of a Regional Conference Centre in the Shannon / Limerick Region. The first step in delivering on this commitment is to have an objective and independent study of the feasibility of such a facility, from both regional and national perspectives, undertaken. Accordingly, the Department of Arts ,Sport and Tourism has asked Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, to commission such a study and to invite Shannon Development, given their responsibilities in the region, to participate in any steering group set up to oversee the study. The Limerick-Shannon GatewayLimerick-Shannon is Ireland’s largest urban area after Dublin and Cork and is a key economic driver for the Mid-West Region and the wider corridor of cities from Waterford and Cork to Galway, known as the Atlantic Gateways. The considerable potential of Limerick-Shannon to generate and drive accelerated rates of economic development and population growth is evidenced by its designation in the National Spatial Strategy as one of the nine Gateways designated under the Strategy, the Government’s framework for regional development to 2020. The Mid-West region has benefited significantly from Limerick-Shannon’s strong enterprise and research base that has been developed over the decades and its proximity to Shannon Airport, which has the potential to serve the large and growing hinterland along the Atlantic Gateways corridor. National Development Plan and Transport 21 Limerick-Shannon, like the other NSS Gateways, continues to benefit from substantial investment under the National Development Plan in physical infrastructure such as surface transport (road and rail links), water services, housing regeneration etc. and social infrastructure such as innovation and education, healthcare and social inclusion measures. As outlined in the NDP 2007-2013, achievement of the Gateway’s potential requires putting in place and implementing an overall strategy for its development, focusing on unlocking further development potential in the city centre and docks areas; an effective bus-based public transport system and further diversification of its enterprise base will be important in this regard. Transport A comprehensive transport infrastructure development programme through the implementation of Transport 21 will address all of the key surface transport linkages to Shannon airport. The plan will see the completion of package of measures leading to improved road and rail access for the Shannon and wider region, including: N7 Limerick-Nenagh; N18 Limerick- Galway; N20 Limerick –Cork; N21 Limerick – Adare; Southern Ring Road / Limerick Tunnel; Atlantic Corridor linking Donegal with Waterford via Limerick where construction has been brought forward by three years to 2008; Western Rail Corridor, including a Limerick-Galway rail link feasibility of new Rail links to airport, and direct bus connections from airport to tourism and urban centres (Killarney, Galway). The anticipated cost of individual projects within Transport 21 is commercially sensitive information which, as a matter of practice, is not released until the public procurement processes are completed. However, approximately €2 billion has been committed in total to road projects in the Shannon region, which are already in construction or at an advanced stage in planning. Last year the Government approved funding of approx €100 million for the development of the first phase of the Western Rail Corridor from Ennis to Athenry with a view to completing the project in 2008. Funding in principle has also been approved for Phase 2 of the Corridor between Athenry and Tuam for completion by 2011. Broadband The two main broadband initiatives in the Shannon region are the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Programme and the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). The Department of Communication , Energy and Natural Resources have approved the further rollout by Shannon Broadband of eight more Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in the counties of Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary and Offaly under Phase II of the Metropolitan Area Network Programme. Those towns are Abbeyfeale, Banagher, Birr, Kilrush, Nenagh, Newcastle West, Roscrea and Templemore Phase I saw the completion of a MAN in Limerick City. The objective is to provide a carrier-neutral, high-speed, open access broadband infrastructure to address the medium to long term requirements of network operators, businesses and organisations, with the aim of supporting inward investment, indigenous companies and social development in the Shannon Development region. The MANs Phase II programme commenced in June 2007 and construction is now underway in the eight towns. It is anticipated that the programme will be completed on time and on budget by the end of 2007. The project is estimated to cost approx €12.7 – 13.3 million with 90% of the funding being made available by Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and with Shannon Development and the Local Authorities contributing 5% each. The Towns of Shannon, Ennis and Thurles would be strong candidates for MANs should a further phase of the MANs programme be approved. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) aims to deliver broadband services to consumers and businesses located within those parts of the country that have no form of broadband available at the moment. When the scheme is fully rolled out it will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in these NBS target areas, including unserved areas in the Shannon region, are met. The procurement process for the NBS commenced in May 2007. Four candidates (BT Communications Ireland Ltd, eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium) have pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. It is anticipated that a preferred Provider will be selected at the beginning of 2008. The Group is cognisant of the fact that advances in IT may offer opportunities to address the negative impacts of the Aer Lingus decision. The Group recommends that consideration should be given to the provision of modern, state-of-the art, teleconference facilities in the region. NDP-NSS alignment The close alignment between the NSS and the NDP is evidenced by the shared objective to promote the development of all regions in Ireland to achieve their full potential within a co-ordinated, coherent and mutually beneficial framework. Balanced regional development is central to the NDP’s investment strategy and its promotion will be implemented, inter alia, through implementation of integrated spatial planning frameworks at Regional Authority and Gateway levels which will address appropriate land use at both regional and Gateway levels, and facilitate and complement the Plan’s investment in infrastructure and connectivity. In this regard, under the initiative of Limerick City Council, the four gateway authorities of Limerick City, Limerick County, Clare County and North Tipperary County Councils have recently undertaken (12 September) to prepare a Planning Land Use and Transportation Strategy (PLUTS) for the Limerick-Shannon gateway and wider region. All four local authority areas will be covered in the study with a particular focus on Limerick-Shannon. Modeled on other successful plans such as Cork Area Strategic Plan, this strategic planning framework will culminate in the adoption of a Mid-West Area Strategic Plan by mid-2009. It is anticipated that this collaborative process should foster an enhanced and more practical level of co-ordination, both between the local and regional authorities and between the public and private sectors, in the development of the Gateway and its wider region and between planning, infrastructural development and investment in the years ahead. Gateway Innovation Fund It is critically important for local authorities to work together towards a common goal and measures such as the Gateway Innovation Fund are stimulating and encouraging such collaboration and thus creating the positive environment for engagement of all key stakeholders including the private sector. While the delivery of accelerated gateway development is critically dependent on a properly co-ordinated approach by the local authorities, and the harnessing of the full potential of the public and private sectors in delivering a dynamic and successful gateway region, this co-ordination must also be supported by Government Departments and Agencies to realise the ambitious plans and remove bottlenecks to successful implementation. The Gateways Innovation Fund is additional to the significant NDP sectoral investment programmes already committed for the NSS Gateways. It is intended to incentivise, stimulate and reward joined-up strategies and action in the Gateways by helping to fund targeted strategic capital projects that can trigger the accelerated development of the Gateways and their wider regions. The Gateways Innovation Fund, which will run for the three years 2008 to 2010, will require at least 20% co-financing at local level, as a practical demonstration of the commitment by Gateway authorities and the private sector to Gateway development and co-ordination. Under the leadership of the lead gateway authority (Limerick City Council), the Limerick-Shannon local authorities have formed a collaborative working group with the intent of preparing a bid proposal under the Gateway Innovation Fund (GIF), identifying and prioritising key added-value projects that can strengthen and accelerate the performance of the Gateway. The closing date for receipt of bid proposals is 15 November with recommendations to be brought to Government by the Ministers for Finance and Environment, Heritage and Local Government in early 2008. While it is not decided what project(s) may be submitted by the Limerick-Shannon gateway authorities, it is understood that the focus will be on building on the significant investment being made in the region under the various sectoral programmes, and in particular on urban renewal and the regeneration proposals for key areas within the city. Limerick regeneration initiatives The recommendations in the report prepared by Mr. John Fitzgerald, former Dublin City Manager, in relation to addressing social exclusion, crime and disorder issues and regeneration in Moyross and certain other areas of Limerick City were accepted by Government in April 2007. Ministerial Orders have been made to establish 2 Regeneration Agencies (Northside & Southside) in Limerick. As part of his report, Mr. Fitzgerald recommended a limited extension of the City Council’s boundary up to the Clare County boundary in the northern part of the city to facilitate the intensive development and regeneration of the North city area. This limited extension would involve the transfer of territory currently under the aegis of Limerick County Council, to Limerick City Council. There is a strong commitment to proceed as soon as possible with all elements of the Fitzgerald report, capitalising on Governmental and local support. Indications from Limerick City and County Councils suggest that the envisaged extension should not attract significant political opposition, given the context of the social challenges that exist in Moyross. Preparations are ongoing to ensure an early resolution to the boundary alteration (i.e. by the end of 2007) in accordance with the statutory process (Part V of the Local Government Act 1991). Any alteration relating to a county or city boundary, as is proposed by Mr Fitzgerald, would ultimately require approval by each House of the Oireachtas. Looking to the medium term, in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will be publishing a Green Paper on Local Government Reform by the end of the year. Part of the remit of the Green Paper will be to look at local democratic leadership issues, including the possibility of introducing directly elected mayors and the appropriate balance of power between managers and local elected representatives. The Green Paper will set out options for reform before finalised proposals are set out in a White Paper next year. This process presents an opportunity to look at strengthening local authority structures in Limerick as part of the overall national review, while being mindful of local opinion on the jurisdiction of the relevant local authorities. 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